SilkThermal Unders

I am looking at these for an October camping trip.

I thought they'd be nice and light and packable.

But are they actually warm?

silk is warm, yes. Not so good for high energy stuff though because it doesn't insulate when wet like wool does.

I have a pair of lightweight silk bottoms that I received as a gift. They're warm and very thin under clothing. Truthfully, I wouldn't have purchased them for myself- I prefer lightweight or microweight wool to silk.

I've had both silk long underwear and thin merino wool under layers.
Silk snagged and fell apart after a few months. It was not nearly as warm as I had been led to believe. And when I got even slightly overheated, they felt clammy and cold when damp.
My merino base layers are 100 times nicer and keep me way warmer, breath nicely and don't get yucky when damp.

These are on sale for $20 for each piece.
I was only going to wear them to sleep in.

Wool would be nice (luxurious , actually) but considering I bought a saddle and headlight today I think I'm going the cheap route this time.

Thanks for your replies.

I actually prefer the silk for sleeping. I get too hot in the wool (and it would often build up static - at least where I used to live).

I love silk! It so light that it's barely there, but warm. And because it's not bulky, you can wear more layers. Remember, it's the air that's incorporated in the weave and between layers that is the "real" insulation.

I use it for camping and for other outdoors activities that require me to sit still for long periods of time.

Zen,

Your thread title caught my eye since my mom is the only other person I've ever known to call underwear "unders". Funny the things you don't think about until you see them in print. :) I guess that belongs in the random observation thread! :D

I've never slept in silk "unders" so have nothing of any value to add, but they sound pretty darn comfy to me. Goferit!

Order complete :D

That brings my total bicycle related expenditures for the day to $200.
Guess I'll be grocery shopping at the dollar store this month.
Priorities...;)

I think that merino wool long underwear is 100% times better than silk, and I own both. I can't decide how cold this october is going to be. Last october was beautiful weather.

Yes but it gets might chilly at night up near the Paw Paw Tunnel, Little Orleans and Williamsport.
Even in Wolfsville. I'm wearing a long sleeve tee under a sweatshirt right now.